Camille Saint-Saëns will take centre stage at G. Henle Publishers in 2021: In December we will be commemorating the 100th anniversary of the death of this French composer (1835–1921). Yet Saint-Saëns still ranks among the composers who are strongly underrated. So, it’s high time we turn the spotlight on him and throw light on his person and œuvre.

Saint-Saëns has been in G. Henle Publishers’ catalogue since the turn of this century. To date there are around two dozen of his compositions available in Urtext editions and the number is continually growing. And we are proud to present a very special new edition this year: the famous Carnival of the Animals in the original version for chamber ensemble!

Written in March 1886 as a humorous occasional work for the traditional carnival concert organized by his cellist friend Charles-Joseph Lebouc, the Carnival of the Animals was so successful that Saint-Saëns banned performances and publication soon afterwards. He was worried that this “grand zoological fantasy” - consisting of 14 short individual pieces for eleven instruments - might overshadow his serious works. Yet only five months after the composer’s death, it appeared in print after all, beginning its worldwide victory march - in its original setting as well as in numerous arrangements.

Carnival by G. Henle Publishers

Available as parts, as a study score or in the Henle Library App!

Carnival on Instagram @henleverlag

All our Urtext editions with works by Camille Saint-Saëns are now digitally available in the Henle Library app! Our French app ambassadors Christian-Pierre La Marca, Cédric Thiberghien and Renaud Capuçon are delighted – and so are we, about their very own “Hommage à Saint-Saëns”:

Art competition “Carnival of the Animals”

for children up to 12 years!